THE SUSQUEHANNA

The river meanders 444 miles from its origin at Otsego Lake near Cooperstown, N.Y., until it empties into the Chesapeake Bay at Havre de Grace, Md. The Susquehanna contributes one-half of the freshwater flow to the Bay.

The river basin borders the major population centers of the east coast, and although relatively undeveloped, has experienced problems of water pollution and overusage. Because the Susquehanna River flows through three states and is classified as a navigable waterway by the federal government, there are state, regional, and national interests involved. There is a need to coordinate the efforts of three states and the agencies of the federal government, as well as a need to establish a management system to oversee the use of the water and related natural resources of the Susquehanna.

THE COMPACT
These needs led to the drafting of the Susquehanna River Basin Compact, which was signed into law on December 24, 1970. The Compact, as adopted by the Congress of the United States, and the legislatures of New York State, Pennsylvania and Maryland, provides the mechanism to guide the conservation, development, and administration of the water resources of the vast river basin.

THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER BASIN COMMISSION
The Compact established the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) as the agency to coordinate the water resources efforts of the three states and the federal government.

Each member is represented by a commissioner who serves as the spokesperson for the government that he or she represents. In the case of the federal government, the commissioner and his alternate are appointed by the President of the United States. For the three states, the commissioners are the governors or their designees. The governors also appoint alternate commissioners.

The commissioners, or their alternates, meet periodically to act on applications for projects using water, adopt regulations, and direct planning and management activities affecting the basin's water resources. Each of the four commissioners has a single vote.

Under the leadership of an Executive Director, technical, administrative, and clerical personnel support the daily operations of the Commission.

STATEMENT OF MISSION
The mission of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC), which is defined in the Compact, is to enhance public welfare through comprehensive planning, water supply allocation, and management of the water resources of the Susquehanna River Basin.

To accomplish this mission, the SRBC works to: reduce damages caused by floods; provide for the reasonable and sustained development and use of surface and ground water for municipal, agricultural, recreational, commercial and industrial purposes; protect and restore fisheries, wetlands and aquatic habitat; protect water quality and instream uses; and ensure future availability of flows to the Chesapeake Bay.

The SRBC is uniquely qualified to carry out this mission. As a federal-interstate compact commission, its focus is defined by the natural boundaries of the river basin rather than the political boundaries of the member states. As such, the SRBC serves as a forum to provide coordinated management, promote communication among the members, and resolve water resource issues and controversies within the basin.

The goals of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission are:

1. To be responsive to water resource management needs of SRBC's signatory members;
2. To provide excellent service to the public;
3. To coordinate management of interstate water resources and serve as an effective forum for resolution of water resource issues and controversies within the basin;
4. To be a leader in issues concerning the conservation, utilization, allocation, development, and management of water resources within the Susquehanna River Basin;
5. To encourage excellence in SRBC staff by affording opportunities for professional growth and development and by providing a stimulating work environment for all Commission employees; and
6. To provide public information and education about the water resources of the basin.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SRBC
Commission staff develops and implements the programs as directed by the commissioners and as found in the Commission's comprehensive plan, Comprehensive Plan for the Management and Development of the Water Resources of the Susquehanna Basin. The six major areas of the Comprehensive Plan and specific Commission functions within them are listed below.

Flood Plain Management & Protection

• Approves flood control projects.
• Assists in establishing flood warning systems.
• Establishes community self-help flood warning programs.
• Advises individuals, communities, businesses, and industries on flood loss reduction.
• Produces flood plain mapping and other information utilized for flood plain management.
  

Water Supply

• Inventories available water resources.
• Administers and manages interstate water resources.
• Determines the basin's storage needs and allocates water as needed.
• Assists in planning, developing, and financing water resources projects.
• Develops water supply storage and release plans.
• Regulates consumptive water uses.
• Develops data on flow conditions.
• Institutes emergency actions.
  

Water Quality

• Monitors water quality programs of signatory members.
• Conducts special surface and groundwater studies.
• Measures the impact of the Susquehanna River on the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay.
• Provides technical assistance to federal, state, and local governments.
• Conducts basinwide monitoring.
  

Watershed Protection & Management

• Promotes protection of wetlands.
• Encourages proper agricultural practices.
• Recommends priorities for suitable uses of certain sensitive land areas.
• Reviews large-scale urban and rural development as it relates to water and wastewater needs.
  

Recreation, Fish, & Wildlife

• Seeks development of water-based recreational resources.
• Encourages inclusion of public recreation programs at water resource projects.
• Promotes migratory fish restoration and propagation of indigenous species.
• Regulates releases of water to protect fishery resource and recreational uses.
  

Cultural, Visual, and Other Amenities

• Assists signatory members in designating and classifying historic and wild and scenic areas.
• Considers the impact of water resource projects on cultural values.